They say blondes have more fun, but Sheridan Smith’s latest hair transformation might have us convinced otherwise. The actor, 44, has unveiled a completely different look – ditching her signature honey-blonde locks for a glossy chocolate hue.
While her blonde hair has long been part of her signature style, Sheridan’s no stranger to the dark side. She briefly embraced brunette locks back in 2024 for her West End role in Opening Night, before swiftly returning to blonde.
Her latest return to brunette was revealed by her hairstylist, Edward Taylor – the talent behind the glossy new look. In a photo shared to Instagram, Sheridan is all smiles as she poses with Edward and actor Charley Webb, captioned: ‘Transformations were made and so many photos were taken.’
So, we can only presume she’s revisiting brunette hair once again for a new role – and it’s reminded the GH beauty desk just how much a darker shade suits her. Sheridan also posted the new look on her own Instagram, showing off her transition to dark.
‘Sheridan’s new brunette really works because it instantly brings more depth and shine to her overall look,’ says top hairstylist and Fudge Global Brand Ambassador Jonathan Andrew. ‘When someone goes from blonde to brunette, it can feel like a huge transformation because you’re changing the level of contrast around the face. On Sheridan, that richer tone frames her features beautifully and makes her eyes and skin look really fresh,’ he says.
According to Jonathan, creating dimension is the flattering trick to going brunette at 40-plus. ‘What I like about this colour is that it doesn’t feel flat or heavy. It still has softness through the tone. This is the key to making brunette flattering, especially as we get older.’
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He explains, ‘A softer brunette with subtle warmth or movement through the ends can look incredibly expensive and much more youthful than a colour that’s too blocky and dark.’
While the conversation around hair for mature women often revolves around going lighter and leaning into silver, Jonathan explains that brunette is an equally brilliant option, noting that it can even make hair appear thicker. ‘For mature women, brunette can be particularly flattering because it gives the hair a stronger, healthier-looking finish. As hair changes with age, shine and condition become just as important as the colour itself. A glossy brunette can make hair look fuller and smoother instantly,’ he says.
It’s the soft highlights that make Sheridan’s hair feel modern and rich, according to award-winning colourist and OSMO ambassador Jude Taylor. ‘This year, we’re seeing a real shift away from very high-impact colour and towards more lived-in, natural-looking shades,’ he says. ‘That natural depth, with just a few lighter pops, can make the hair look glossier and more expensive.’ Better yet, he also adds that the lived-in effect makes it less demanding to maintain in the long run.
Sheridan has made a compelling case for giving brunette a second look.
